DCYF CPS/FAR Investigator (SSS3) - Moses Lake

Company: State of Washington
Location: Olympia
Posted on: June 7, 2021

Job Description:

 This recruitment will remain open until a selection is made. It is in the candidate's best interest to apply as soon as possible.

 First review of applications will be February 22, 2021. 

The hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at any time. 

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) was created to be a comprehensive agency exclusively dedicated to the social, emotional, and physical well-being of children, youth, and families regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other socioeconomic factors. We believe our workforce should reflect the communities we serve and are actively searching for candidates that reflect that diversity.

We're looking for passionate, experienced professionals with a social service/social work background to join our team to help shape the lives of children by not only offering their service using a diverse, equitable lens but also doing it with the utmost inclusivity and respect to those from all backgrounds. Our vision is that "All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy-thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community."

The Opportunity:

Social Service Specialist 3

DCYF is currently seeking proactive learners and resilient contributors to join our Children Protective Services (CPS)/Family Assessment Response (FAR) office in our Moses Lake office. Performs advanced-level work in the investigation of child abuse and neglect allegations and specialized case management in the CPS/FAR unit. This position investigates allegations, assesses complex family situations, develops plans to protect children either in their own homes or in out of home care through the intervention of the court system, and makes findings of abuse or neglect based on the results of the investigation. In performing all duties, the CPS/FAR Investigations Social Service Specialist adheres to the tenets of the Solutions-Based Casework (SBC) model with a focus on understanding and respecting the strengths of the clients including their heritage, cultural beliefs, and values, communication and learning styles.

Child Protective Services (CPS) - Child Protective Services (CPS)- Persons who suspect that a child is being abused or neglected contact CPS with their concerns. If the allegations meet the screening criteria, they will be assigned to an Investigation or Family Assessment Response:

• Investigations - Allegations of sexual abuse and severe allegations of physical abuse and neglect are investigated to determine if abuse or neglect occurred and whether additional services are needed to keep children safe and help the family to be successful in the long-term. CPS investigations are generally completed within 45 days and the case is either closed or moved to FVS or CFWS for continued case management
• Family Assessment Response (FAR) - FAR is an alternative CPS pathway for families with low and moderate allegations of child abuse or neglect. Families who qualify for FAR may choose the FAR or Investigative pathway. In FAR, there is no investigation and no finding of whether the alleged abuse or neglect occurred. Social workers work with the family to keep children safe and build on their strengths to establish the community supports the family needs to be successful in the long-term.

If you are passionate about caring for children and providing them the support they desperately need and ensuring they are being provided the comfort that their best interests are at heart, our Social Service Specialist 3 may be your next career.  This position is responsible for investigation in foster care in the Moses Lake area and engages critical thinking through the decision making and case planning. This position can be highly stressful as you are responsible for protecting children from risk and harm whenever indicated with little supervision.

 Here is some of what you'll do as a CPS/FAR Investigator:

• Meet all casework management directives required by law, policy, and other mandates.
• Adhere to the Solution-Based Casework (SBC) model.
• Perform advanced-level work in the investigation of child abuse and neglect allegations and specialized case management.
• Investigate allegations, assess complex family situations, and develop plans to protect children either in their own homes or out of home care through the intervention of the court system.
• Make findings of abuse or neglect based on the results of the investigation.
• Focus on understanding and respecting the strengths of families including their heritage, cultural beliefs and values, communication, and learning styles.
• Work independently in devising your own work methods to provide an advanced level of specialized, culturally competent, and solution-focused case management.
• Provide accurate and timely entries into FamLink.
• Identify and develop community supports and resources.
• Take additional action when needed to meet the needs of child safety, permanency, and well-being.

What we are looking for:

Professionals with one (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.

OR 

• Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field, and two (2) years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

OR

• Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field and one (1) years of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.  A practicum will be substituted for the one year of paid social service experience

• Degrees must be obtained from an accredited institution.

The above experience must Include one year (1) paid social service experience assessing risk and safety to children and providing family-centered practice services (strengthening and preserving family units).

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following experience:

• Prior experience effectively communicating and working with management, peers, clients, community colleagues, and the public.
• Prior experience maintaining current knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies on the delivery of child protective and child welfare services within Washington State.
• Prior experience partnering effectively with other professionals involved in the preparation of child and family prospective permanency families for transition and permanency outcome.
• Prior experience maintaining good working relationships with child1s caregivers (foster parents, relatives, kin, or facility staff).
• Prior experience including caregivers in the case planning process and providing support for meeting a child's unique needs.
• Prior experience implementing risk assessment in all cases as defined by law and best practice using a preferred risk assessment model.
• Prior experience fully utilizing shared decision-making processes for making case plans. Prior experience maintaining timely Famlink documentation.
• Prior professional experience displaying effective problem-solving skills, timely communication, strong communication skills, attitude, listening, and self-discipline.

How do I apply?

In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position: 

• Cover Letter
• Current Resume
• College Transcripts

Supplemental Information:

The initial screening will be based on the content and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified and documentation may be required. Applications with comments such as "see attachments" or "N/A" in the supplemental question responses will be considered incomplete.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

DCYF is an equal opportunity employer and supports equity, diversity, inclusion, and respect.

Need accommodation throughout the application/interview process? Unable to apply on-line? Contact the Recruitment team at dcyf.jobs@dcyf.wa.gov or (360) 628-0114 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 800-833-6388

Experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application? Call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

To take advantage of Veteran's preference please attach your DD-214, member 4 long-form, or your NGB-22. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching.

General suggestions for creating a good application packet:

• Read the job posting very carefully. Find out as much as you can about the position.
• Make sure you are very diligent in following all the application instructions.  Include all requested documentation.
• Make sure your application and supplemental question responses address how you meet each of the required and desired qualifications.
• Carefully read each of the supplemental questions and respond completely to each one.  Pay careful attention to each component of the question, providing examples, and thoroughly describing when and where you achieved the proficiency level, and detail the types of work you performed, the work products, etc., to demonstrate 'how'.
• Specifically include all of your work experiences doing the same or similar work, especially if you reference work in these jobs in describing when/where you gained proficiency level skills.
• Make sure your application reflects your best writing.

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Keywords: State of Washington, Olympia , DCYF CPS/FAR Investigator (SSS3) - Moses Lake, Other , Olympia, Washington